lummi island wine tasting labor day weekend sept 2-3 ’16
(note: some photos will enlarge when clicked)
Friday Breads (email us to get on the preorder mailing list! )
Buttermilk Currant – made with about half bread flour and half fresh milled whole wheat, buttermilk to tenderize the crumb and a little honey to balance the whole grain flavors, loaded up with currants and just a bit of fresh rosemary from the garden. Makes great toast and even better french toast!- $5/loaf.
Buckwheat Walnut & Honey – A flavorful mix of buckwheat and bread flour with toasted walnuts and honey. Buckwheat has a great earthy flavor that is really delicious. This bread goes well with meats and cheeses or fresh sliced tomatoes (if you have some ripe ones!) – $5/loaf.
Artisan Hamburger Buns – so you canstyle=”float: left; margin-right: 10px;” Go All Out for that last barbecue of the summer! Made with bread flour and fresh milled white whole wheat, some sugar, butter and milk to keep the crumb tender, and finished with an onion topping – 4/$5
September Schedule Update
#1: This weekend (Sept 2-3) is Labor Day Weekend Artists’ Studio Tour, and although we will be away, the wine shop will be open as usual Friday and Saturday. On Friday Janice and Sue are your hosts, as they were a couple of weeks ago…you know, the regular Friday Night DIY Impromptu Bread & Wine Sharing.
Then Saturday our very knowledgeable friend and wine rep Elaine has volunteered to spend the day pouring selections from her companies’ portfolios (we will post her tasting list next week!). We encourage Our Faithful to make a Special Effort to come by, say Hi, and see what she has brought. Btw, chances are that some Friday wines may carry over from this weekend’s wines (just sayin’), while Saturday’s wines will be Elaine’s hand-picked selections! We strongly recommend you come Both Days!
#3. First Drydock weekend (Sept 9-10) we are still Away. Janice and Sue will again host for Bread Friday. Then, on Saturday, by Popular Demand (!) Judy A. has volunteered to pour some great selections from her company’s portfolio. Even though it will be the First Weekend of Drydock, and therefore Quiet on the island, you all know that Judy always carries a Banner of Festivity with her, brightening all Nearby Spirits! Don’t miss it!
#4. NB: Second Drydock Weekend (Sept 16-17) : So sorry, we are away, Janice is away, and wine shop (sob!) Closed All Weekend. (So be sure to stock up!) We will be back for Sept 23-24 weekend as usual.
Travel Plan
We arrived in Montpellier yesterday and will set off today on our canal trip in the Camargues for a week, after shopping ffor provisions in the nearby public market, with its carefully and beautifully presented displays.
After that we will explore a couple of the lesser-known wine regions of Gaillac and Cahors in the larger catch-all French Wine Region generally just called the “Sud-Ouest”, or Southwest, which includes a wide area with Bordeaux to the northwest, Languedoc to the south and east, and Spain and the Pyrenees to the southwest.
Besides being the home of many lesser-known French wine regions, the area also is home to some of the oldest examples of prehistoric human culture, particularly the painted caves at Les Eyzies-de-Tayac and Lascaux. With some luck we will be able to visit them, the former being the Real Thing that still allows a few visitors each day, and the latter being the Authentic Copy to give a Realistic Taste of the Original without damaging it with our breath and our bacteria.
Read more
This week’s wine tasting
San Rocco Soave ’15 Italy $10
Beautiful aromas lemon, green apple and fresh apricots. The palate is fresh and clean with beautiful citrus and apple flavors with hints of almond. A great summer wine! Summer wine.
Villa des Anges Rosé ’14 France $10
Spicy and focused on the nose, showing fresh citrus and red berry and a hint of white pepper. Dry and nervy on the palate, with refreshing bitter cherry and berry skin flavors.
Lovo Cabernet Veneto ’15 Italy $11
A new Italian face on a familiar varietal, this surprisingly tasty cabernet is unoaked, bright, clean, and zesty.
Domaine La Croix Belle Caringole ’14 France $10
Syrah, Carignan and Merlot blend from Languedoc’s Cotes de Thongue region; fresh and supple with flavors of cherry, and black olive, and herbs.
Airfield Estate Merlot ’13 Washington $14
Slightly muted nose with dill, red cherry and raspberry, and flavors of red cherry, pomegranate, dill and milk chocolate. Easy, silky texture with good balance.
lummi island wine tasting august 26 ’16
(note: some photos will enlarge when clicked)
Friday Breads (email us to get on the preorder mailing list! )
Pain de Beaucaire – This new bread is an authentic regional bread named after the Beaucaire region in southeastern France and was one of the first breads to be made free form and not formally shaped. It was a very popular bread until people began to prefer the lighter and crunchier baguette. Made with mostly bread flour with just a hint of fresh milled rye and whole wheat with a layer of wheat bran in the center. Makes great toast – $5/loaf.
Multi Grain Levain – a variation on the multi grain levain of a few weeks ago. Made with a great mix of bread flour and fresh milled rye and whole wheat plus flax, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, polenta and some honey– a great Daily Bread! – $5/loaf.
Pastry this week Chocolate Croissants – Made with a traditional French laminated dough and filled with delicious dark chocolate. Ooooh la la!!- 2/$5
September Schedule — Make a Note, It’s Complicated!
#1: We are open this weekend as usual: 4-7 Friday and 2-6 on Saturday– all the Usual Suspects and All the Usual Fun!
#2. Next weekend (Sept 2-3) is Labor Day Weekend Artists’ Studio Tour, and although we will be away, the wine shop will be open as usual Friday and Saturday. On Friday Janice and Sue are your hosts, as they were a couple of weeks ago…you know, the regular Friday Night DIY Impromptu Bread & Wine Sharing.
Then Saturday our very knowledgeable friend and wine rep Elaine has volunteered to spend the day pouring selections from her companies’ portfolios (we will post her tasting list next week!). We encourage Our Faithful to make a Special Effort to come by, say Hi, and see what she has brought. Btw, chances are that some Friday wines may carry over from this weekend’s wines (just sayin’), while Saturday’s wines will be Elaine’s hand-picked selections! We strongly recommend you come Both Days!
#3. First Drydock weekend (Sept 9-10) we are still Away. Janice and Sue will again host for Bread Friday. Then, on Saturday, by Popular Demand (!) Judy A. has volunteered to pour some great selections from her company’s portfolio. Even though it will be the First Weekend of Drydock, and therefore Quiet on the island, you all know that Judy always carries a Banner of Festivity with her, brightening all Nearby Spirits! Don’t miss it!
#4. NB: Second Drydock Weekend (Sept 16-17) : So sorry, we are away, Janice is away, and wine shop (sob!) Closed All Weekend. (So be sure to stock up!) We will be back for Sept 23-24 weekend as usual.
Travel Plan
Next week we are off to France for a bit. The first week will be on a canal in the Camargue. And since the trip has been planned by our friend and wine representative Laurent, whom many of you have met, and whose wines you have sampled from time to time on Friday afternoons, you might correctly infer that there may be some Wine Education involved. Hopefully the weather will be comfortable.
After that, plans are to visit Montpellier for a few days, then explore the lesser-known wine regions of Gaillac and Cahors in the larger catch-all French Wine Region generally just called the “Sud-Ouest”, or Southwest, which includes a wide area with Bordeaux to the northwest, Languedoc to the south and east, and Spain and the Pyrenees to the southwest.
Besides being the home of many lesser-known French wine regions, the area also is home to some of the oldest examples of prehistoric human culture, particularly the painted caves at Les Eyzies-de-Tayac and Lascaux. With some luck we will be able to visit them, the former being the Real Thing that still allows a few visitors each day, and the latter being the Authentic Copy to give a Realistic Taste of the Original without damaging it with our breath and our bacteria.
Read more
Januik
MIke Januik has been making wine in Washington State for thirty years. Besides making all the wines that bear his name, he also is the winemaker for Novelty Hill, which specializes in wines from the highly regarded Stillwater Creek Vineyard (see video).
The tasting rooms for both Januik and Novelty Hill are located a few hundred yards from the entrance to Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. The decor is Very Northwest Modern, and the wines are all quite Delicious, Skillfully Made, and keep you coming back for more.
Yet, as I write this, I am encountering a tiny sense of Contradiction, a soupçon of Concern. I mean, to be Fair, I am sucking down this wine with Ease as I write this, and it is entirely Enjoyable. And I am battling contradictory Reviews that make me Doubt my own instincts about the wine’s Actual Merits.
Bottom Line: Points, Schmoints: For my palate, there is something about Stillwater Creek Vineyard that I really like, enjoy, resonate with. Our other main experience with cabernet sauvignon from this vineyard was from Walla Walla Vintners, and it was Superb. So when someone now says, “it’s from Stillwater Creek Vineyards,” s/he has my attention. Come on by, check it out, see what you think!
This week’s wine tasting
Josef Schmid Riesling Kremstal ’11 Austria
Bright yellow with delicate green highlights; fine stone fruit on the nose; fresh and crisp, with notes of peaches, gooseberries and apricots.
Mas des Bressades Rosé Cuvée ’15 France $14
Spicy aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, orange, and pungent flowers; Nicely concentrated and supple, gaining weight with air, picking up bitter cherry and melon notes and a lingering red fruit liqueur quality.
Alta Vins Tinto ‘13 Spain $11
60% Garnacha, 30% Syrah, 10% Carinena; Brilliant garnet color; bright and fresh with notes of red currant, balsamic, and rose water.
La Rocaliere Lirac Rouge ’13 France $16
Equal parts grenache, mourvedre, and syrah. Clay hillsides and serene aging in cement tanks yield this
inky purple wine with deeply pitched aromas and flavors of cherry-cola, licorice and violets.
Januik Cabernet Sauvignon ’13 Washington $29
Classic cassis and black currant notes in medium to full-bodied, easy drinking package. Lots of dark fruit,
with elegance, energy and length.
lummi island wine tasting august 19 ’16
(note: some photos will enlarge when clicked)
Friday Breads (email us to get on the preorder mailing list! )
Cinnamon Raisin – NOT a soft bread with just a spiral of cinnamon and raisin! instead, this is a delicious artisan bread with crisp crust and cinnamon and raisin throughout. Made with fresh milled whole wheat, rolled oats, milk to tenderize the crumb and some honey for sweetness. Makes great toast, even better french toast!- $5/loaf.
Honey Wheat w/ Poppy Seeds & Lemon – Some of you may remember that this is the bread that was made into dinner rolls for the Heritage Trust dinner in March and received raves from diners at the event. Made with bread flour and fresh milled white whole wheat, honey, poppy seeds and fresh lemon zest. A really delicious bread – $5/loaf.
Pastry this week: Palmiers, (aka Elephant Ears) – Always popular and usually sell out quickly. Made with a butter filled puff pastry pastry, rolled out and spread with sugar before folding, slicing and baking. Yum, yum – 4/$5
L’Aietta
L’Aietta means “little farm courtyard.” At age 18, Francesco Mulinari discovered that a one-hectare “family picnic spot” his father had bought long ago in Montalcino was legally registered for growing grapes for one of the world’s highest-valued wines (Brunello di Montalcino). As any(!) 18-year old high school student would do, he got excited and got to work, producing his first vintage of Brunello in 2001, and has persevered.
He later studied oenology, took jobs at other wineries, and replanted sangiovese grosso vines on his land. The vineyard is very steep, maintained by hand by Francesco alone. Now 30, he is on his 12th vintage. His Rosso di Montalcino comes from a younger vineyard nearby, with a total production of only 166 cases– a true “Artisan Wine!” read more
Discrimination
Cognitive discrimination is the fundamental ability that differentiates human beings from every other known organism. It is the ability to tell this from that, one from two, gray from black. Our ability to think, especially to think critically, depends entirely on our ability to observe differences in quantities and qualities. This ability to differentiate, a highly developable ability, is the primary characteristic of the process we call “thinking,” especially “critical thinking.” While all humans (and many other organisms) have the sensory ability to discriminate tastes (salty, sweet, sour), feelings (pleasant, unpleasant), and numbers (more, less), the ability to discriminate among abstract ideas and values (fairness, honesty, credibility, integrity) is to a large degree a function of study and learning.
The best model I have encountered for exploring these ideas was put forth by William Perry from data gathered in the 50’s and 60’s. Perry’s research found that in general, a student’s college experience could be called “an intellectual Pilgrim’s Progress” in which a student’s way of thinking evolved from “a world of Absolutes and Truth into a world of contexts and Commitments in which one must take stands and choose as a way of making meaning of one’s life through identity choices.” All you need to know is that it is a Long Road, with a lot of Building.
The data strongly suggested a common process of increasing discriminatory sophistication. Beginning students right Out of the Box generally fell into the realm of Level 1, Duality: (right/wrong, good/bad). With study and reflection, that gave way after a couple of years to Multiplicity, which first adds a layer of “don’t know,” followed by a more relativistic layer of “it depends.” Position 5, as it turns out, is a major evolutionary step: “This transition represents a fundamental transformation of one’s perspective–from a vision of the world as essentially dualistic, with a growing number of exceptions…to a vision of a world as essentially relativistic and context-bound with a few right/wrong exceptions.”
The Big Takeaway here is that Human Beings right Out of the Box are going to hang out at Levels 1-2 until they Learn Otherwise; with age and education some will get to Levels 3-4. But to get to Level 5 and beyond– which is really a Threshold of sorts– takes opportunity and personal commitment. We live in Complex Times, folks. Our Greatest Enemy might be found in HL Mencken’s quip, “For every complex problem there is an answer that is Clear, Simple…and Wrong.” Like, you know, the policies (I use the term loosely) of the last few decades, maybe.
Criteria
As it turns out, Discrimination isn’t very useful for Decision Making without Criteria that give Meaning to our observations. Pat and I had an interesting discussion at dinner tonight (Niçoise salad and rosé on the deck…yum!) about Current Politics. To some degree one of the fulcra of the discussion was the degree to which the actions of our Elected Officials in the last decade or two have reflected the concerns of our Citizens…you know, like Us! A Pretty Big Question, but one that is at the very Root of this year’s election choices. By the way, the lead-in to this discussion was the about the value and importance of third-party voices.
That, of course, brought up the fact that until 1988, Presidential Debates were managed by the non-partisan League of Women Voters, who then ran afoul of the Republican and Democratic Party Establishments by insisting that Third Party Candidates had a Valid and Important Role to play in the National Debate, and that they were withdrawing support for the debates because “the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter.” Debates were then taken over by the Federal Elections Commission, a joint operation of the Republican and Democratic National Committees, which set the criteria for third-party candidate participation in the Debates as polling 15% of the likely vote in five national polls…a Really Big Hurdle for getting Into The Game, even if you had Equal Access to Big Media.
At the end of this discussion, I listed Five Inter-related Concerns (there are many more) I have that neither of the Two Major Parties seems willing to address:
- Climate change
- Global Refugee crisis
- Wealth and income Inequality
- Money in Politics
- Social Justice in its Myriad Forms
One very good thing about Third Parties, when they get a Voice, is that they Name these Concerns and the Entrenched Failures of the Two Parties to address them. It would be a Good Thing to have the Green Party Candidate and the Libertarian Candidate sharing the Spotlight with the Major Candidates. Just as Bernie Sanders brought a much-needed Voice of Truth to the table during the Primary Season, so would these candidates enrich our understanding of the choices before us and the options available to us.
This week’s wine tasting
Sanguineti Vermentino ’14 Sardinia $14
Zesty, clean, and aromatic. A staple on the Italian coast, excellent with everything from Scampi with fresh herbs, to Spring
pea risotto, or a spread of Italian cheeses.
Perazzeta Sara Rosato ’15 Italy $14
From the same grape as Brunello (sangiovese grosso), this beautiful rosato is rich, bold, and flinty while also crisp, summery, and light.
Anciano 5-Yr Tempranillo Riserva ’08 Spain $11
Aromas of damp earth, mocha, tobacco, and black cherry. On the palate it is sweetly fruited, easy-going, and nicely balanced leading to a seamless, fruity finish.
Verso Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane ’14 Sicily $12
Unctuous style with “the structure of Trapani, the aromatics of Siracusa, and ripeness of Palermo.” Plus: 10% of the grapes are raisined, yielding rich notes of cranberry, black fruits, and sage.
L’Aietta Rosso di Montalcino ’13 Italy $21
Quintessential Rosso di Montalcino, with mouthfuls of wild cherry and mineral, and impressive structures and depth…intensely floral and bright with rich, ripe fruit, uplifting minerality, and hefty structure.
lummi island wine tasting august 12 ’16
(note: some photos will enlarge when clicked)
Friday Breads (email us to get on the preorder mailing list! )
Sonnenblumenbrot – aka Sunflower Seed Bread. This bread is made primarily with bread flour, but also includes a healthy amount of fresh coarsely ground rye for flavor and texture. A little malt syrup for sweetness then loaded with toasted sunflower seeds. A great all around bread – $5/loaf.
Breton Bread – A mix of hearty whole grains including both buckwheat and rye, in addition to the bread flour. The salt is the sel gris from Brittany which brings some mineral flavor to the bread. A bit of malt powder for sweetness rounds out the flavor profile. Great with meats and cheeses or fresh garden tomatoes – $5/loaf.
Bagels – Always popular! Made with a bit of preferment sponge, mixed, shaped and refrigerated overnight before being boiled and baked in the traditional manner. This results in a delicious chewy bagel. Four bagels per bag, one each sesame seeds, poppy seeds, mixed sesame-poppy, and plain. – 4/$5
This weekend
We are away this weekend, in Sonoma practicing Grandparenting. As nearly as I can tell, this job apparently has No Accountability whatsoever, except that you are supposed to do Only the Fun Stuff, and pass off everything Difficult to the Parents. Well, so far so good on that score!
However, it is Logical for our Regulars to be Concerned that you will be Left in the Cold by our Absence. Never fear, however, the Wine Shop will be Open as Usual, thanks to volunteers Janice H and Sue A, who have (Hooray!) Stepped Up to Serve you in our absence!
Therefore, be advised the Wine Shop will be open as usual this weekend, both Friday and Saturday, usual hours. We understand that all of you adapted splendidly during our absence last winter, so we are confident all w be well this weekend as well. We tip our hats in gratitude to your hosts, and invite all of you to show up in support of their efforts!
Baby 1.0
A zillion years ago (early sixties) there was a TV show (“Ben Casey”) that began with a little set of symbols drawn one by one on a chalkboard while a male voice intoned its name: ♂ ♀ ✳ † ∞… : “Man…Woman…Birth…Death…Infinity…” see video.
So here we are in Sonoma this week visiting with 10 week old Seriozha, and of course being totally fascinated by his moment to moment process of Coming Online. I am reminded of a recording of a long lecture given many years ago by Moshe Feldenkrais, whose work I studied and practiced for many years, in which he repeatedly asked, “What is the purpose of a Nervous System?” He would then proceed to offer a number of answers and one by one refute them. Although it took him a long time to get to it, his final point was in effect, “The purpose of a Nervous System is to make Order out of Chaos.”
This week, watching Seriozha exploring his World moment by moment, yesterday waving his arms seemingly at random, then later touching and grasping something but not able to repeat it, and today, more often able to reach out and touch with some will, we can see him programming his nervous system, as we all had to do, to make Order from the tumult of sensations we have been experiencing since Birth, building our individual, interdependent Worlds.
Vinho Verde 101
As our dear Portuguese-fluent friend Myra taught us years ago, the correct way to pronounce “vinho verde” is “veeng-yo vaird.” We should also note that when she says it, she moves her head and hands in space, painting the words in the air like a Samba. So you know this has to be, you know, Something Special. Which is true.
This little region of Portugal has been making this wine for some 2000 years. It’s in the blood, it’s in the landscape, it’s in the long cultural history of the region. There are some 19,000 individual “vineyards” spread over 51,ooo acres. A quick calculation reveals that on average, that’s about 2.6 acres per vineyard. But many of those are even much smaller family vineyards grown on stone walls, fences, and pergolas on whatever land is available.
Like our own Pacific Northwest in some respects, the Vinho Verde region gets a lot of rain from the North Atlantic. Grape varietals permitted in vinho verde include Alvarinho, Avesso, Azal, Arinto, Loureiro, and Trajadura, which all grow well in the area. Given the climate, however, these are not wines to be enjoyed young. They are typically bottled within three to six months after harvest, and are best drunk within a year of two of harvest.
Chocolate Refill
Yes, yes, some of you have noticed that in the last month or two our Chocolate corner has been looking pretty desolate. Therefore all of you Chocolate Lovers will be please to know that we have restocked with our favorites from Theo Chocolate in Seattle. Their chocolate is made “from bean to bar” from mostly Fair Trade cacao beans and combined with other quality ingredients like sea salt, ginger, dried fig, coffee bean, coconut, and spices to produce delectable, addictive, and satisfying taste sensations.
Chocolate fan…? Come on by and try some samples!
This week’s wine tasting
Quinta de Aveleda vinho verde ’09 Portugal $10
Loureiro, Trajadura and Alvarinho blend; fresh and lively aromas of lime, pink grapefruit, peach and dusty mineral scents. Fresh and fizzy, with vibrant, assertive, sharply defined citrus fruit flavors.
Mas des Bressades Rosé Cuvée ’15 France $14
Spicy aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, orange, and pungent flowers; Nicely concentrated and supple, gaining weight with air, picking up bitter cherry and melon notes and a lingering red fruit liqueur quality.
Campo Viejo Tempranillo ’13 Spain $11
Aromas of ripe red fruit followed by gentle sweet notes of vanilla and spices. Perfumed, soft and fresh with a lingering finish of red fruit, vanilla and cocoa. A perennial go-to value here at AWG.
Portteus Bistro Red ’13 Washington $10
54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. A food friendly wine with delicate yet elegant mouthfeel. Notes of blackberry, pomegranate, cocoa, honey and licorice, with a creamy finish.
La Quercia Montepulciano Riserva ’12 Italy $18
100% organic montepulciano from low-yield vines; rich, port-like nose of candied cherries that carry through on the expressive, rich, earthy palate; nice balance of fruit and acidity.
2072 Granger Way